Heterogeneous expression of claudin-4 in human colorectal cancer: decreased claudin-4 expression at the invasive front correlates cancer invasion and metastasis.

摘要: Objective: Claudin-4 plays a key role in constructing the tight junction (TJ), and altered claudin-4 expression has been documented various human malignancies; however, little is known about biological significance of colorectal cancers (CRCs). The aim this study to investigate CRC its association with clinicopathological factors. Methods: levels total 129 CRCs 44 metastatic tumors were examined by immunohistochemistry. A small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown examination was also conducted assess role(s) cultured cells. Results: Expression at intercellular membrane well preserved surface tumor; decreased detected 57% CRCs, particularly invasive front. Interestingly, lesions CRC. siRNA-mediated SW480 claudin-4-positive cells upregulated cell motility, whereas no significant change proliferation. Conclusions: These observations suggested that disruption claudin-4-mediated TJ construction enhances cancer invasion metastasis might be good biomarker for diagnosing risk distant metastasis.